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Home , Berry Cave salamander, Desmognathus fuscus, Eastern newt, Green salamander, Imitator salamander, Junaluska Salamander

A few of are listed in on the Threatened and List. The Tennessee cave is listed as “Threatened.” The streamside, hellbender, seepage, Black Mountain dusky, pygmy, Junaluska, four-toed, Weller’s and Wehrle’s salamander are all listed as “In Need of Management.” These are only a few of the Salamandersmany salamander species we have in Tennessee, but it would be a shame to lose even one of these unique and remarkable creatures. What are some of the major challenges facing salamanders today? As more and more people use more resources and require more places to live, destruction and modification are occurring at an alarming rate and are the greatest threats facing salamanders. Another major problem salamanders face is ; salamanders are unable to move freely be- Three-toed Hellbender tween populations or even reach their breeding ponds because of highways and other construc- of Tennessee Amphiuma tridactylum Cryptobranchus alleganiensis tion. Introduced species can negatively affect salamanders by direct and competition. Photo: R. D. Bartlett Photo: Suzanne Collins, CNAH In 1995, in recognition of Tennessee’s unique natural heritage, the state legislature designated Chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers are adversely affecting salamanders in the Tennessee cave salamander as our official State . You may be wondering, “What many areas around the world. Other factors that may negatively affect salamanders in Tennes- are salamanders and why are they important?” Salamanders are the group of , including see are climate change, disease, and illegal collection for the trade. It is against the law to , sirens and , that have smooth, moist, porous skin, lay jelly-like and have remove any native from the wild in Tennessee without a permit. a long tail. Often they are mistakenly referred to as “spring lizards,” when in fact they belong to Most Tennessee salamanders have a biphasic life cycle, meaning they spend part of their life in the group of animals known as . Unlike lizards, a type of reptile, salamanders lack a tadpole-like larval stage then change into the adult stage. Many species of salamanders spend scales on the body, do not have claws on the toes, and cannot survive far from moisture. the adult stage on land in moist near water, then during the breeding period, the adult Salamanders are nocturnal and come out from their hiding places during moist nights to hunt salamanders move into the breeding ponds or streams to court and lay eggs. Some salamanders, for prey. Most species eat large amounts of such as , and snails. A such as the , are well known for their mass migrations in the spring as they few species, like spring and red salamanders, will even eat other salamanders. Salamanders are move from their forest habitat to their breeding ponds. equally important as food for many other animals, such as raccoons, opossums, bears, mink, river otter, and snakes. In some places they are the most abundant animals in Find more information about salamanders at: the forest. They are also important as biological indicators as their porous skin is sensitive to Atlas of Amphibians in Tennessee, www.apsu.edu/amatlas Mudpuppy Lesser Siren environmental toxins. Since many live in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, scientists use them Center for North American Herpetology, www.cnah.org Necturus maculosus Siren intermedia to monitor for problems in the environment. The Salamanders of Tennessee, www.tennessee.gov/twra/tamp/salamanders.htm Photo: Suzanne Collins, CNAH Photo: Brad Glorioso

Small-mouthed Salamander Spotted Salamander Eastern Ambystoma texanum Ambystoma maculatum Ambystoma opacum Eft viridescens Adult Photo: Brian Miller Photo: John Copeland Photo: John Copeland Photo: T. Hibbitts Photo: Brad Glorioso Photo: Brad Glorioso

Salamanders require ponds that have no fish in them because fish eat amphibians! Vernal pools and semi-permanent to permanent ponds are all favorable breeding habitat. Most salamanders lay their eggs and then depart. A few species like the green salamander and marbled salamander stay and help protect their eggs from small predators and fungus. Some species, like the and , skip the larval stage and the eggs hatch into perfect miniatures of the adults.

Tiger Salamander Tennessee’s amphibian diversity is the 4th highest in the Southern Red-backed Salamander Northern Slimy Salamander Ambystoma tigrinum nation. Neighboring states of , and rank 1st, Striped morph serratus Lead morph Plethodon glutinosus Photo: Brad Glorioso 2nd and 3rd. Photo: Suzanne Collins, CNAH Photo: T. Hibbitts Photo: Brad Glorioso

Seepage Salamander Northern Dusky Salamander Santeetlah Dusky Salamander Green Salamander Tellico Salamander Salamander aeneus Desmognathus santeetlah Aneides aeneus Plethodon aureolus Plethodon kentucki Photo: Stephen G. Tilley Photo: T. Hibbitts Photo: Stephen G. Tilley Photo: Robert Wayne Van Devender Photo: Suzanne Collins, CNAH Photo: Suzanne Collins, CNAH

Imitator Salamander Blue Ridge Dusky Salamander Northern Zigzag Salamander Southern Ravine Salamander Desmognathus imitator Desmognathus orestes Desmognathus ocoee Lead morph Plethodon dorsalis Striped morph Plethodon richmondi Photo: T. Hibbitts Photo: Robert Wayne Van Devender Photo: Stephen G. Tilley Photo: M. L. Niemiller Photo: Brad Glorioso Photo: Robert Wayne Van Devender

Seal Salamander Black-bellied Salamander Black Mountain Salamander Jordan’s Salamander Northern Gray-cheeked Red-legged Salamander Desmognathus monticola Desmognathus quadramaculatus Desmognathus welteri Plethodon jordani Salamander Plethodon shermani Photo: T. Hibbitts Photo: Brad Glorioso Photo: Stephen G. Tilley Photo: T. Hibbitts Plethodon montanus Photo: Stephen G. Tilley Photo: T. Hibbitts

Tennessee is well known throughout the scientific commu- nity as a particularly hot spot for salamanders. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has earned the title of “Salamander Capital of the World.”

PYgmy Salamander Shovel-nosed Salamander Yonahlossee Salamander Weller’s Salamander Wehrle’s Salamander Desmognathus wrighti Desmognathus marmoratus Plethodon yonahlossee Plethodon welleri Plethodon wehrlei Photo: T. Hibbitts Photo: Stephen G. Tilley Photo: T. Hibbitts Photo: Robert Wayne Van Devender Photo: Stephen G. Tilley

Four-toed Salamander Long-tailed Salamander Cave Salamander Tennessee Cave Salamander Three-lined Salamander Junaluska Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum Eurycea longicauda Eurycea lucifuga palleucus Eurycea guttolineata Eurycea junaluska Photo: Bob English, LEAPS Photo: M. L. Niemiller Photo: M. L. Niemiller Photo: M. L. Niemiller Photo: John White Photo: Stephen G. Tilley

Funding for this project was provided by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tennessee Dept. of Environment and Conservation and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Produced by Lisa Powers, Froghaven Farm and Patricia Miller, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Design by Raleigh Holtam, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Lisa Powers, Froghaven Farm Southern Two-lined Salamander Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamander Mud Salamander Eurycea cirrigera Eurycea wilderae Gyrinophilus porhpyriticus montanus Pseudotriton ruber Photo: T. Hibbitts Photo: T. Hibbitts Photo: T. Hibbitts Photo: Stephen G. Tilley Photo: Brad Glorioso

The TWRA is an equal opportunity/equal access government Cooperators in organization. For information, call (615) 781-6594. printing this Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Authorization No. poster were: 328830, 10,000 copies, April, 2008. This public document was promulgated at a cost of $.50 per copy. THREE-TOED AMPHIUMA (W) NORTHERN DUSKY SALAMANDER (W, M, E) WELLER’S SALAMANDER (E) Amphiuma tridactylum Desmognathus fuscus Plethodon welleri The three-toed amphiuma, sometimes referred to as a Congo eel, is a large aquatic salamander that lives in SANTEETLAH DUSKY SALAMANDER (E) Weller’s salamander is a small species (6.4-9.2 cm) that is found only in the high elevations of northeastern semi-permanent to permanent bodies of water with abundant vegetation. Drainage ditches, sloughs, backwaters Desmognathus santeetlah Tennessee. It has a black dorsum with large brassy to coppery striations or blotches that give it a metallic look. and swamps are all favorite habitat. Adults are bi-colored, with a black, slate or brownish back and a lighter SPOTTED DUSKY SALAMANDER (W, M) (not pictured) The underbelly is dark with fine light mottling. This salamander has a strong association with the spruce-fir gray belly. The four limbs are extremely thin and elongated and each foot has three toes. The tail is laterally Desmognathus conanti forests of the southern Appalachians. It is currently listed in Tennessee as “In Need of Management.” compressed to aid in swimming. There are no external . The three-toed amphiuma, our longest salamander, averages from 46-106 cm. Amphiumas feed upon , , fish, terrestrial and aquatic insects, These three closely related dusky salamander species are best distinguished by their ranges. The Santeetlah dusky WEHRLE’S SALAMANDER (E) , snails, skinks and a small amount of vegetation. They emerge from their at night to forage, is found in a small pocket of the southern Appalachians; the northern dusky is found from our eastern borders Plethodon wehrlei especially during heavy rains. Amphiumas are found only in the western part of the state in the into Middle Tennessee; and the spotted dusky is found from Middle into West Tennessee. These salamanders are Wehrle’s salamanders are a large (10-17 cm) species of Plethodontid salamander. They have a dorsum of dark Alluvial Floodplain. generally very abundant where they occur. They are medium sized (6-14 cm), generally a dusky brown color, may have some spotting on the dorsum, and have a light line extending from the corner of the eye to the jaw. In brown to black and the sides have a heavy mottling of bluish-white to yellow spots that may fuse to form larger splotches or bands. The toes on the hindfeet of Wehrle’s salamanders are strongly webbed. This salamander oc- HELLBENDER (M, E) the northern dusky the tail is laterally compressed and strongly keeled, whereas the tail is moderately keeled in curs only on hilly forested slopes and mountainous terrain and is strongly associated with spruce-yellow birch Cryptobranchus alleganiensis both the spotted and Santeetlah dusky salamanders. The spotted dusky often has 6 to 8 pairs of golden to red- dish spots on the dorsum and may get slightly larger (6.4-12.7 cm) than the northern or Santeetlah dusky. The and mixed deciduous forested habitats. Wehrle’s salamander is listed as “In Need of Management” in Tennessee Tennessee’s heaviest salamander (30-74 cm), the hellbender is a large aquatic species that inhabits clean, fast Santeetlah dusky is slightly smaller (6.4-9.5 cm) and has a yellowish or greenish wash upon the belly. These and is found only in the northeastern corner of the state near the border. flowing streams and rivers, where large flat rocks provide plenty of cover. Small eyes in a large flattened head, salamanders live in a variety of aquatic and semi-forested habitats. slimy skin secretions and loose folds of skin along the sides of the body contribute to the bizarre look of this FOUR-TOED SALAMANDER (M, E) salamander. Hellbenders are nocturnal and search at night for small fish and crayfish. Occasionally they are caught GREEN SALAMANDER (M, E) Hemidactylium scutatum by fishermen using baited hooks. A harmless species, this once abundant salamander has declined throughout Aneides aeneus This salamander is one of the easiest to identify. It is small (5-10 cm), has only four toes on the hind legs (most much of its range due to impoundments and pollution. It occurs sporadically throughout the eastern two-thirds salamanders have 5) and has a distinct constriction at the base of the tail. The belly is stark white mottled with of Tennessee and is currently listed by the State of Tennessee as being “In Need of Management.” Beautiful, and rarely seen, the green salamander (8-14 cm) spends much of its time on sandstone, or sometimes limestone, rock faces with many crevices, or more rarely in trees or under the loose bark of fallen timber. This black spots or blotches. The dorsum is a rusty-brown; the sides are grayish and often have dark flecks. State- listed as “In Need of Management,” the four-toed salamander lives in moist, wetland habitats. Females lay MUDPUPPY (W, M, E) salamander has a black base color with a yellowish-green, lichen-like pattern upon the back. It has a flattened their eggs within damp moss (sphagnum is most favored), often in communal nests. This salamander is found Necturus maculosus body, long legs and square toe tips, all adaptations for living on cliffs. Females of this species deposit their eggs in moist crevices in the rock face and will actively protect their eggs from small predators and fungi. The range sporadically throughout the eastern two-thirds of Tennessee. The mudpuppy is an aquatic salamander that inhabits large streams with fast-flowing water and rocky bottoms, of this species is rather limited in Tennessee, being confined mainly to the Cumberland Mountain, Highland and also reservoirs. They reside beneath logs and rocks during the day and emerge to feed at night. They are Rim and Cumberland Plateau physiographic provinces. LONG-TAILED SALAMANDER (W, M, E) fairly large (20-49 cm) and have dark red, bushy gills their entire life. A dark line extends through the eye to Eurycea longicauda the gills and the brown, rusty brown, gray or black body has large dark bluish-black to black splotches. The TELLICO SALAMANDER (E) Long-tailed salamanders are well named as the tail of this salamander makes up more than 60-65% of its total underbelly is whitish to gray and may also be spotted. They also have a very snubbed nose. Mudpuppies prey Plethodon aureolus length (10-20 cm). Resembling the cave salamander, the long-tailed salamander has a yellowish-orange to upon a large variety of creatures including crayfish, insects, mollusks, fish and amphibians. The mudpuppy is yellowish-brown dorsum marked with numerous black spots. The spots sometimes fuse to form irregular lines found throughout Tennessee except for the northwestern corner of the state. Once considered a sub-species of Plethodon glutinosus, the Tellico salamander is a small (10-15.1 cm), grayish- black to black species with numerous brassy flecks on the dorsum. The sides may have a greater concentration or discontinuous lines, and often fuse on the tail to form a herringbone pattern. Long-tailed salamanders are primarily associated with limestone and often live beneath rocks and logs close to shaded seepages, springs or LESSER SIREN (W, M) of white or yellow spotting, underneath the chin is lighter colored and the tail is round in cross-section. Little streams. It is found throughout the eastern two-thirds of Tennessee. Siren intermedia is known about the habitat of this species that inhabits both mountainous and lowland forests. This salamander is known only to occur in the southeastern corner of the state in Polk and Monroe counties. It is listed in Ten- This eel-like aquatic salamander lacks hind legs, has an elongated body (18-69 cm), branching gills and a dorsal nessee as “In Need of Management.” CAVE SALAMANDER (M, E) fin extending from the vent to the tail tip. They are olive-green, grayish-blue or black, often with scattered brown Eurycea lucifuga or black spots on the back and may have white to yellowish flecks on the sides. They live in semi-permanent CUMBERLAND PLATEAU SALAMANDER (E) One of our more colorful salamanders, the cave salamander is found in karst habitat throughout the eastern to permanent bodies of water, particularly floodplain pools, marshes, swamps, sloughs, backwaters, ditches, Plethodon kentucki two-thirds of the state. Bright orange to red, it has irregular black spots on the dorsum. The underside is white vegetation-choked sluggish creeks and occasionally farm ponds. They feed upon algae, particularly filamentous to yellowish with no markings. The body is elongated and slender with the prehensile tail making up more than species, vascular plants, invertebrates and the eggs of amphibians, even other siren eggs. They are found in the The Cumberland Plateau salamander closely resembles the northern slimy salamander, but is slightly smaller 60% of the body length. The head is large and flattened and the eyes bulge out of the head. These salamanders northwestern and southwestern corners of Tennessee, although further research is needed to determine the full ranging from 9.5-17 cm, has a lighter chin and throat, and fewer and smaller dorsal spots. The dorsum is black range in size from 10-20 cm. Cave salamanders may produce a noxious secretion from the tail if bothered, and range, life history and conservation needs of the lesser siren in Tennessee. and has small white spots that increase in size on the sides. This is a forest species that hides beneath rocks and logs during the day and comes out to forage among the leaf litter on wet or rainy nights. The Cumberland Pla- when attacked, they will coil their body around and tuck their head underneath the base of the tail, then wriggle the tail to distract the predator. Like many species that use this defensive strategy, the cave salamander can SMALL-MOUTHED SALAMANDER (W, M) teau salamander is found only along the Tennessee-Kentucky border in the Cumberland Plateau Physiographic regenerate the tail if part of it is broken off during an attack. Ambystoma texanum Province in Tennessee. It is listed in Tennessee as “In Need of Management.” (M) (not pictured) (E) TENNESSEE CAVE SALAMANDER (M, E) Ambystoma barbouri Desmognathus imitator Gyrinophilus palleucus These closely related, similar looking salamanders are usually a brownish-gray to grayish black with numerous BLUE RIDGE DUSKY SALAMANDER (E) small, light gray speckles that sometimes merge on the sides to form a lichen-like pattern. Both are medium- Desmognathus orestes Gyrinophilus gulolineatus sized salamanders (11-19 cm) with a stocky body and a small head. The small-mouthed salamander is found A long-bodied salamander (10-23 cm) with a flattened head, slightly upturned snout and three large feathery gills mainly in western Tennessee. There is, however, a population extending into northern Middle Tennessee from OCOEE SALAMANDER (E) on each side, the Tennessee and Berry Cave salamanders are two of our more unique species. These salamanders Kentucky. The streamside salamander is found in sporadic populations throughout Middle Tennessee, primarily Desmognathus ocoee spend their entire life in a “neotenic” or larval form and even reproduce in this form. In 1995, the Tennessee in limestone habitats. The small-mouthed salamander is found mainly in bottomland forests associated with ALLEGHANY MOUNTAIN DUSKY SALAMANDER (E) (not pictured) cave salamander, Gyrinophilus palleucus, was designated by the Tennessee legislature as our State Amphibian. wetlands or floodplains; the streamside salamander prefers upland deciduous forests with rolling hills, but may Desmognathus ochrophaeus Living exclusively within a few cave systems, this salamander is listed in Tennessee as “Threatened.” The range also occur in streams. CAROLINA MOUNTAIN DUSKY SALAMANDER (E) (not pictured) for this salamander is very restricted; it is found only in Tennessee, and Georgia. The Tennessee and Berry Cave salamanders live in limestone cave systems containing streams in central and eastern Tennessee. SPOTTED SALAMANDER (W, M, E) Desmognathus carolinensis What has been regarded as a single species in Tennessee actually may represent three or four geologically and Ambystoma maculatum CUMBERLAND DUSKY SALAMANDER (E) (not pictured) genetically separate species. Found statewide in Tennessee, this large (15-25 cm) attractive salamander has a dark purplish-black, steel gray Desmognathus abditus or black body. There are two irregular rows of bright yellow to yellowish-orange spots starting on the head Very similar in size, shape, colors and patterns, this group of closely related salamanders can best be told apart THREE-LINED SALAMANDER (W, E) and extending down the back to the tip of the tail. These salamanders migrate in large masses in the spring to by looking at geographic ranges or through genetic analyses by scientists. Patterning on the back may range Eurycea guttolineata breeding ponds during the first warm rains and on foggy nights when moisture is high. They breed in fish-free from stripes or wavy lines to blotches. Colors may range from reds and oranges to yellows and browns. Male The three-lined salamander is a long (10-18 cm) slender species. It has a yellowish-orange to orange dorsum vernal ponds, swamps, roadside ditches and flooded tire ruts; they may also breed in permanent ponds where no salamanders of all these species have well-developed jaw musculature. Adults of these species generally average with a black stripe along the spine and a dark brown or black stripe along either side of the body. The tail has fish have been introduced. Throughout the rest of the year they live in bottomland forests, floodplains, upland between 7-11 cm. Often located near streams and seepages at lower elevations, these species may be found on vertical bands that often fuse to form a wavy stripe. Preferred habitat of the three-lined salamander in Ten- forests and mature deciduous woods containing vernal ponds. the forest floor at higher elevations. These salamanders occur in limited ranges within the southern Appalachians. nessee is beneath logs or other cover objects nearby or in flooded forest habitats along the floodplain, shaded The Carolina mountain dusky salamander and the imitator salamander are found midway along the Tennessee- seeps, streams, bogs and vernal pools. They occur in West Tennessee and in East Tennessee along the North MARBLED SALAMANDER (W, M, E) North Carolina border; the Allegheny mountain dusky salamander is found in the northern Cumberland Plateau; Carolina border. Ambystoma opacum the Ocoee salamander is found in the southeastern corner of Tennessee in the Cumberland Plateau and Blue The marbled salamander looks like it just came out of the chrome plating shop with its metallic silvery-white Ridge Mountain sections; the Cumberland dusky salamander is found in the middle Cumberland Plateau; and JUNALUSKA SALAMANDER (E) to gray bands of color on the dorsum upon a black body. A medium sized (11.2-19.7 cm), stout-bodied sala- the Blue Ridge dusky salamander is found in the northeastern corner of Tennessee. Eurycea junaluska mander, males and females can be told apart by the color of their crossbands; males have silvery-white bands, This small (7.5-10 cm), slender salamander resembles the southern two-lined salamander at first glance. But while females have gray bands. This salamander is the only member of its family in Tennessee to mate and lay NORTHERN ZIGZAG SALAMANDER (W, M, E) a shorter tail, longer forelimbs, and no distinct black stripes on the sides, distinguishes this from the southern- eggs on land. Females construct nests just below the leaf litter of dried beds of temporary or drying ponds in Plethodon dorsalis lined salamander. The yellowish-orange body is often covered with brown mottling and the sides may have the fall. Females will often stay to protect the eggs from small predators and fungi. Eggs hatch in the winter or SOUTHERN ZIGZAG SALAMANDER (E) (not pictured) dark blotches or wavy lines that may form a vague line. These salamanders live under large rocks and beneath early spring when the nest is flooded as the pond waters rise during spring rains. Plethodon ventralis logs in and around large creeks and streams. It has an extremely small range and is found only in the southern Appalachians along the southern counties bordering Tennessee and North Carolina. This salamander is listed MOLE SALAMANDER (W, M, E) The northern zigzag salamander is one of our most abundant species and is primarily found throughout the in Tennessee as “In Need of Management.” Ambystoma talpoideum eastern two-thirds of the state. The similar looking, closely related southern zigzag salamander has a very small range along the eastern border of Tennessee. But as these two were just recently separated into two species, more Mole salamanders are one of the few salamanders in Tennessee that may exist either as terrestrial adults or as research is needed to determine the true range of the southern zigzag salamander. Both of these salamanders SOUTHERN TWO-LINED SALAMANDER (W, M, E) aquatic, gilled, breeding (). These salamanders have a short, stocky body (8-12 cm), rounded head, are relatively small (6-11 cm) and exist in two color morphs (phases). They may be a uniform brownish-gray Eurycea cirrigera short tail and short, stocky legs. They may vary in color from light gray to light brown, dark gray or black; light color (lead morph) or a dark base color with an orange or red zigzag pattern (striped morph) extending down BLUE RIDGE TWO-LINED SALAMANDER (E) gray specks upon the back and sides may be unnoticeable in many specimens. The juveniles and adults of this the back that straightens out when it reaches the base of the tail. Both color morphs may have light metallic Eurycea wilderae species have a special gland (the parotoid gland) that produces a noxious secretion. Adults breed in temporary flecks on the back and sides; the belly is mottled with tiny black, white and orange speckles. These salamanders to permanent bodies of water that do not have fish. Terrestrial adults of this species are most often found within prefer moist forested slopes, caves and rocky hillsides. Females use underground retreats in which to lay and The southern and Blue Ridge two-lined salamanders typically live beneath rocks and logs along the edges of floodplain forests or in upland forests close to breeding sites. This species is found throughout the western third brood their eggs. small, rocky streams and seeps, but some individuals may occur far from water on the forest floor. Both slender, of the state, with scattered populations found throughout the rest of the state. delicate-looking species, the southern two-lined ranges from 6.4-11 cm; the Blue Ridge two-lined ranges from SOUTHERN RAVINE SALAMANDER (E) 7-12.1 cm. The southern two-lined has a dingy yellow base color with two prominent black lines extending from (W, M, E) Plethodon richmondi the eye along the top of either side to the end of the tail. Black spots dot the dorsum between the two lines as Ambystoma tigrinum well as along the sides. It occurs throughout the state except for the northwestern corner. The Blue Ridge two- A long-bodied salamander (7.5-14.5 cm), the southern ravine salamander has very short legs and a tail that makes lined is very similar in appearance but has a brighter yellow, green or orange base color and may have fewer or Our largest terrestrial salamander, the tiger salamander may range from 18-35 cm. It has a large stocky body up over 50% of its body length. The dorsum is dark brown to black above with a fine mottling of silvery-white no black spots on the dorsum or sides. It occurs along the eastern border of our state. with stocky limbs and a broad head. The color and pattern of the tiger salamander is extremely variable but to brassy flecks. The underbelly is plain and dark, however there is often light flecking beneath the throat. This consists of yellow, greenish, brown or bronzy spots or striations on a base color of dark brown or grayish-black. salamander lives in ravines and on rocky hillsides. The southern ravine salamander is found in the northeastern SPRING SALAMANDER (E) As larva, this species exhibits two morphs (phases), a typical and a cannibalistic form. The cannibalistic form corner of Tennessee along the Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina borders. Gyrinophilus porphyriticus has modifications of the head and teeth and is usually larger than the typical form. Tiger salamanders breed in late fall through spring in semi-permanent bodies of water and permanent, fishless ponds. Adults live in burrows SEAL SALAMANDER (E) A large (11-21 cm), stout-bodied salamander, the body color ranges from salmon to pinkish-orange with small in the soil that they often dig themselves. The distribution of this salamander is somewhat sporadic in Middle Desmognathus monticola dark spots or flecks. A light line extends from the eye along a raised ridge to the snout and may be shadowed by and East Tennessee, but more studies are needed to determine the true range of this species in the state. a faint gray to black line beneath it. These salamanders are very predatory and often feed upon other salaman- This salamander, found in the of East Tennessee, has a light brown to grayish dorsum ders, even their own kind; they also feed upon many invertebrates. Spring salamanders prefer seeps, springs, EASTERN NEWT (W, M, E) that often has a darker brown reticulated or mottled pattern. The tail is round at the base but becomes triangular fish-less headwaters, caves and cave streams. They are found primarily in the eastern half of the state, although Notophthalmus viridescens shaped, laterally compressed and keeled towards the end. Seal salamanders generally range from 7.5-15 cm. one has been reported from West Tennessee. They prefer hardwood-forested habitat near small to medium-sized rocky streams with well-oxygenated, cool Upon first glance one thinks these two photographs are of two different species of salamanders. However, these water. They are found in the mountains of the Ridge and Valley and the Blue Ridge Physiographic Provinces. MUD SALAMANDER (M, E) are simply two different forms within the salamanders’ life cycle. The eastern newt is often confused for a liz- Pseudotriton montanus ard, particularly in the eft (juvenile) stage. A blaring orange, bright to dull red or brownish body with lighter BLACK-BELLIED SALAMANDER (E) spots encircled by black with small black specks scattered along the back and sides, and a dry granular skin, Desmognathus quadramaculatus A large (7.5-19.5 cm), stout-bodied species, the mud salamander has an orange-brown to bright crimson dor- makes this salamander easy to spot. During the eft stage, this small salamander (3.5-8.6 cm) is terrestrial and sum with brown or black spots that are often widely scattered. The tail is short and makes up less than 40% of may be found quite far from water. As an adult, this salamander is aquatic and has adapted with an elongated The black-bellied salamander is very well named as it has a solid black belly. It is a large species ranging from the total length of the salamander. Mud salamanders inhabit muddy, mucky areas along swamps, seeps, bogs, body (6.5-11.2 cm), smoother skin, cryptic coloration and countershading (olive-green above and lighter yellow 9-21 cm. It has a stocky body and the tail is laterally compressed and keeled. The tips of the toes are black springs, floodplain forests and headwater streams. They occur throughout Middle and East Tennessee. beneath) and a keeled tail for swimming. The adult salamander has regularly spaced orange spots encircled by and cornified. The dorsum is brown to grayish-black and there is a row of yellowish dots on either side of the black upon the back and scattered small black specks along the back and sides. The bright orange of the eft and body. Black-bellied salamanders are mainly aquatic and live in a variety of habitats ranging from headwaters RED SALAMANDER (W, M, E) the orange circles upon the newt signal their toxic nature to predators. This is a good example of aposematic to large, fast-flowing trout streams. These salamanders are found in the mountains of East Tennessee along the Pseudotriton ruber Tennessee-North Carolina border. (warning) coloration in a native salamander. A very beautiful, stout-bodied species, the red salamander ranges from 9.5-18 cm. It has a short tail and short legs. The dorsum may vary from purplish-brown to bright red and is heavily marked with irregular black spots. SOUTHERN RED-BACKED SALAMANDER (E) BLACK MOUNTAIN DUSKY SALAMANDER (E) Desmognathus welteri The belly is pinkish-red and has scattered black spots. These salamanders are found in a wide variety of habitats Plethodon serratus ranging from aquatic to terrestrial. It is not unusual to find red salamanders living in old springhouses or in- EASTERN RED-BACKED SALAMANDER (E) (not pictured) A medium-sized species (7.5-17 cm), the Black Mountain dusky salamander has a light brown dorsum with ground meter boxes. Headwater streams, seepages, and spring-fed bogs serve as breeding sites. This salamander Plethodon cinereus dark irregular markings. The tail is laterally compressed at the base of the tail and is strongly keeled on the is found throughout Tennessee, except for the Mississippi Alluvial Plain and portions of the Western Highland top surface. They have dark, cornified toe tips and the belly is often heavily mottled. Black Mountain dusky Rim physiographic provinces. The southern and eastern red-backed salamanders are two closely related, similar looking salamander species. salamanders live in moist forests along permanent, small to medium-sized streams. The Black Mountain dusky Once considered the same species, they were recently separated into two species based upon biochemical analysis. salamander is found only in the Cumberland Plateau and Cumberland Mountain physiographic provinces in They are both small, slender salamanders; the eastern red-backed salamander ranges from 6.5-12.5 cm, while Tennessee. This salamander is listed in Tennessee as “In Need of Management.” the southern red-backed salamander is slightly smaller ranging from 6.5-10.5 cm. Both species occur in two COLOR KEY TO SALAMANDER FAMILIES color morphs (phases), striped and lead-backed. The striped morph, has an orangish-red, red or more rarely tan, JORDAN’S SALAMANDER (E) broad stripe that begins at the head and extends onto the tail. The body color is brown to dark brown and the Plethodon jordani underside is mottled with black and white. The lead-backed morph has no stripe on the back and is uniform in color. These salamanders live in the leaf litter of deciduous, northern and mixed deciduous-conifer forests. NORTHERN GRAY-CHEEKED SALAMANDER (E) Family Amphiumidae Plethodon montanus The eastern red-backed salamander is restricted to the northeastern corner of the state; the southern red-backed Family Cryptobranchidae salamander is found only in the southeastern corner of the state along the Tennessee-North Carolina border. RED-LEGGED SALAMANDER (E) Plethodon shermani Family Necturidae NORTHERN SLIMY SALAMANDER (W, M, E) For many years these three species were considered different races of the same species. But recent biochemi- Plethodon glutinosus Family cal analysis has shown that they are closely related but separate species. All three species are found along the WHITE-SPOTTED SLIMY SALAMANDER (E) (not pictured) eastern border of Tennessee within the southern Appalachians. Jordan’s salamander is found exclusively within Family Plethodon cylindraceus the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; the red-legged salamander is found in the very MISSISSIPPI SLIMY SALAMANDER (W) (not pictured) southeastern corner of the state; and the northern gray-cheeked is found in a few counties in northeastern Ten- Family Plethodon mississippi nessee. All three are slate gray to purplish-black in color and long-bodied (9-18 cm). The northern gray-cheeked salamander has no distinguishing colors; Jordan’s salamander has yellow to red cheek patches; the red-legged Family These salamanders are well named, for the defensive skin secretions of the tail can be quite slimy, sticky and salamander has a splash of bright orange to red on the upper side of the legs; however, Tennessee populations difficult to remove. These large woodland salamanders (11.5-20.5 cm) are dark-bodied with varying degrees lack the orange or red on the legs. This species prefers elevations above 600 meters in cool, moist, forested, of white, gold or yellow spots, and are often found beneath logs and rocks. Male slimy salamanders are very mountainous habitats; in the southernmost portion of their range, they may also be found within deep, moist territorial and will aggressively defend their territory from other male slimy salamanders as well as competing gorges. They may be found beneath logs, rocks and debris during the day and come out at night to forage on TENNESSEE GRAND DIVISIONS species. These salamanders were considered one species until recently and may best be told apart by the geo- the forest floor. graphical range or biochemical analysis. The white-spotted slimy salamander is found only in the northeastern WEST (W) MIDDLE (M) EAST (E)

corner of Tennessee; the northern slimy salamander is found throughout the eastern two-thirds of the state; and PICKETT SULLIVAN PYGMY SALAMANDER (E) RY ROBERTSON CLAY CLAIBORNE HANCOCK MACON SCOTT HAWKINS SUMNER JOHNSON STEWART ON the Mississippi slimy salamander is found in the western part of the state, west of the Tennessee River. TROUS-� CARTER E O Desmognathus wrighti K OBION MONTGOME DALE VER CAMPBELL LA HENRY CKSON TO UNION WEAKLEY JA N FENTRESS ASHINGT HOUSTON GRAINGERHAMBLEN GREENE W THAM SMITH MORGAN DAVIDSON WILSON PUTNAM UNICOI The pygmy salamander is one of the smallest species of salamanders in Tennessee. Ranging from 3.7-5.1 cm, N S DICKSON JEFFERSON DYER TO CHEA ANDERSONKNOX SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN SALAMANDER (E) (not pictured) GIBSON DEKALB COCKE CARROLL BEN CUMBERLAND WHITE this petite attractive species has a dark herringbone pattern on the back over a reddish-brown to coppery-col- HUMPHREY WILLIAMSON CR ROANE SEVIER Plethodon teyahalee ALE OCKETT HENDERSON HICKMAN � UTHERFORD N UDON UDERD R CANNON LO BLOUNT ored stripe. The eyelids are usually a copper color, the belly is flesh-colored and the tail is short and round in LA WARREN VA R U A OOD MADISON T PERRY BUREN A MAURY LL A Closely related to Plethodon glutinosus, the southern Appalachian salamander ranges from 12-20 cm. It has a YW C S BLEDSOE RHE S TIPTON LEWIS H E BEDFORD E cross-section. Pygmy salamanders live at high elevations in spruce-fir forests or in mature moist forested coves Q MONROE HA S COFFEE D U R A A T MEIG MCMINN GRUNDY C M H black to dark bluish-black dorsum with very small white spotting on the dorsum that decreases greatly in occur- at lower elevations. They are found in the along the Tennessee-North Carolina border CHESTER E IE

SHELBY FAYETTE MOOR ON HARDIN WAYNE LT rence on the sides. The preferred habitat for this species is forested mountain valleys. The southern Appalachian MCNAIRY WRENCE GILES and are listed in Tennessee as “In Need of Management.” HARDEMAN FRANKLIN MARION POLK LA LINCOLN BRADLEY salamander is found in Tennessee along the eastern border of North Carolina. HAMI SHOVEL-NOSED SALAMANDER (E) SEEPAGE SALAMANDER (E) Desmognathus marmoratus Desmognathus aeneus The shovel-nosed salamander is a large (8-15 cm), primarily aquatic species that is closely related to and re- SALAMANDER MEASURING SCALE One of the two smallest salamanders in Tennessee (3.8-5.7 cm), the seepage salamander has a yellowish to sembles the black-bellied salamander. The dorsum is dark brown to black and may have two rows of irregular reddish-brown wavy, or sometimes straight, stripe going down the back. They often have a dark “Y” behind yellowish to grayish blotches. The belly is a dark gray with a lighter middle and can be helpful in distinguishing the head and extending onto the midline of the back either in a line or series of dots; they may also have a light this species from the black-bellied. The tail is laterally compressed and strongly keeled above; the tips of the inches 6 circular patch on the top of each thigh. Some individuals may bear a very faint herringbone pattern upon the toes are dark. Shovel-nosed salamanders live in cool, well-oxygenated streams at elevations of 300-1680 m. back, similar to the pygmy salamander. These salamanders live in and around seepage areas and near streams They can be found along the Unaka Mountain Range in East Tennessee. in moist or wet leaf litter, under logs or other surface objects and in moss mats. They are found only in the southeastern corner of the state along the Tennessee-North Carolina border. The seepage salamander is listed YONAHLOSSEE SALAMANDER (E) centimeters 16 in Tennessee as “In Need of Management.” Plethodon yonahlossee A strikingly handsome and majestic salamander, the Yonahlossee salamander ranges from 11.5-18 cm. The dor- For information concerning conservation of sum is black and covered with large patches of pigment. In mature animals the patches may fuse into a dorsum salamanders see the following websites: single large blanket that covers the dorsum from the neck to the base of the tail. The sides of the body, head and tail have gray to silvery-white blotches that often fuse to form a line from the head to the end of the tail. The top of the head, legs and tail are black with small amounts of white to gray flecking. Yonahlossee salamanders AmphibiaWeb: produce a slimy secretion from the tail to help discourage predators. This salamander lives in deciduous forests http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/aw/ on rocky, moist slopes that are often carpeted with ferns and mosses. They emerge from their burrows at night to actively search for prey. The Yonahlossee salamander occurs in the northeastern corner of the Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation: vent costal grooves state along the Virginia and North Carolina borders. venter www.parcplace.org